Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
Property modifications often take time. This can impact access to facilities. Schools, kura and whānau should plan early, persistently advocate, and seek temporary solutions where possible.
On this page:
On this page:
Current page section: Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
Go to top of current page: Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
Go to top of current page: Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
Go to top of current page: Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
"Kohikohia ngā kākano, whakaritea te pārekereke, kia puāwai ngā hua"
Gather the seeds, prepare the seedbed carefully, and you will be gifted with abundance.
Why this matters | Te take
Why this matters | Te take
Modifications planned well in advance will help avoid delays in securing school grounds and increasing access to the equipment ākonga need to access at their new school.
Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
School grounds | Te taiao kura
School grounds | Te taiao kura
There are several areas within the school grounds that may require further attention. These include:
- fences
- gates
- classrooms
- hallways
- bag bays
- wheelchair access
- walkways
- boundary fences
- emergency assembly areas.
If there are accessibility or safety issues to be addressed before ākonga start school, work with the learning advisor within the Ministry of Education and their property advisors to identify whether these are maintenance requirements of the school or modifications that require external funding.
School toilet access | Ngā wharepaku
School toilet access | Ngā wharepaku
Adequate access to toilets and the ability to easily use them are health and safety requirements. Consider the following toilet equipment:
- hoists
- signage
- cupboard storage
- change tables.
Ensure staff are trained by health professionals or Learning Support staff in the correct use of equipment.
Community resources | Rauemi hapori
Community resources | Rauemi hapori
Identify free community venues and facilities that support ākonga and their engagement programme. This may include:
- gyms
- swimming pools
- disability services | ratonga whaikaha
- community hubs
- libraries.
This can be added to the transition plan when preparing for the shift to a new school.
Useful resources | He rauemi
Useful resources | He rauemi
Funding for accessibility at school
This site provides more detailed information to help schools and kura access funding for accessibility.
Publisher: Ministry of Education NZ
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Working as a team | He whānau kotahi tātou”:
-
Strengthen support team relationships | Te whakakaha hononga
-
Current page Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
Return to the guide “Te Ara Ako – Learning pathways in times of change”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Te Ara Ako – Learning pathways in times of change
Understand:
Strategies for action:
-
Nurture whānau partnerships | WhanaungatangaShow suggestions for Nurture whānau partnerships | Whanaungatanga
-
Develop ākonga partnerships | Te mahi tahi me ngā ākongaShow suggestions for Develop ākonga partnerships | Te mahi tahi me ngā ākonga
-
Prepare your environment | Te whakarite wāhi akoShow suggestions for Prepare your environment | Te whakarite wāhi ako
-
Working as a team | He whānau kotahi tātouShow suggestions for Working as a team | He whānau kotahi tātou
- Prepare and support teaching staff | Te whakarite kaimahi
- Strengthen support team relationships | Te whakakaha hononga
- Accessing the physical environment | Te whai wāhi ki te taiao kura
